SOLFUL Health w/ Kate McCabe : Part Two

Kate is back at it again and this is one of our favorite topics. Hydration and its role in detoxification for both the inside of the body and the outside. If Cameron Diaz wakes up in the morning and chugs a giant glass of water and it has anything to do with her glowing skin and ability to not age a day in a 15 year span, we can get on the hydration train. Read on if you want to glow like Cameron.

Last post was all about how we can cleanse and detoxify our systems with food, but it’s important to note that organic juices, herbal teas, and good old h20 play a huge role in our body’s ability to detox effectively. Do I personally recommend all liquid diets and juices cleanses? Nah. But as a supplement to a nutrient-rich, plant-based diet - hell yeah.

Dehydration is a major source of poor detoxification - without water, the digestive system comes to a complete halt, causing major toxin back-ups and build-ups. You’re also likely to experience headaches (almost 90% of which are caused by dehydration), dull + lackluster skin, weight gain, mood swings, and trouble focusing. Getting enough high-quality hydration is just an absolute must.

But I get it, it can be tricky to navigate what qualifies as a nutritious, wholesome beverage and what doesn’t. So today, I’m breaking it down for you.

Let’s begin with what we want to avoid when it comes to hydration. Caffeine and sugar are, unfortunately, on the no-go list. Both of these substances actually have a dehydrating effect on the body, and can contribute to weight gain, dull skin, increased toxic load, anxiety + mood disorders, hormonal imbalances, and a slew of other health issues. If the mere thought of giving up your morning coffee makes you freak out a little on the inside, no worries. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m in a very committed relationship with my morning matcha lattes. Just be sure you drink a tall glass of water before and after to offset the dehydration, and do your best to limit yourself to one cup each day.

Though coffee and tea qualify as exceptions here, sugary energy drinks, sports drinks, and sodas are totally off limits. Seriously, that s*** is the worst. You’d be surprised where sugar is lurking, especially when it comes to beverages, so read labels and ask questions. Raw honey or pure maple syrup make amazing natural and nutrient-rich sweeteners.

Now for the fun part - all the amazing things you can drink that will literally bring your body + mind to life. A few of my go-tos are:

Coconut water

Organic, cold pressed fruit + veggie juices

Organic fruit + veggie smoothies

Unfiltered kombucha

Herbal teas

Lots and lots of water

Below, I’ve included the recipe for one of my absolute favorite hydrating + detoxifying elixirs. Lemon is one of the most detoxifying foods, as it nourishes the liver and promotes healthy digestion + elimination. Turmeric is a potent anti-inflammatory, which serves to support our bodies’ detoxification system. This elixir is also rich in beautifying, energizing, and immunity-boosting vitamin C for an inside-out glow.

Turmeric Lemonade

Ingredients:

3/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 3-4 large lemons)

1-3 tbsp fresh turmeric juice or 2 tsp ground turmeric

1/4 cup pure maple syrup or raw honey

7 cups water

Dash of black pepper (needed for our bodies to absorb the turmeric)

Prep:

Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher and stir until well combined.

Be sure to check out her site, it packed full of juicy + healthy goodness. You can also find out about her teaching schedule, set up a consultation for nutritional coaching, or see where she will be at next sharing in her knowledge in her community!